About that Corker Ad
Several posts have questioned why WATE aired two Corker spots during our debate last night. Several people have written or called me complaining, saying it appeared we were biased toward Mr. Corker.
First , let me say that what airs during the commercial breaks is not a news room decision. Second, let me assure you we have no bias for or against any of the candidates.
Our goal last night was to maintain a neutral setting so that the candidates could have a serious discussion of the issues. Despite the obvious restrictions of our format, I believe we achieved that goal.
The only thing I will say in defense of WATE's decision to air the Corker commercials is that all the campaigns were given the opportunity, but only the Corker campaign purchased the time.
Comments
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Comments
Gene- I really enjoyed the
Gene- I really enjoyed the debate. I'm sure I speak for many others when I say thank you for sponsoring it!
Of course, I wish the candidates would have had more time, but I understand time constraints. It was just simply good to see them all together getting to talk.
Also, who picked Barry Henderson from Metropulse? He was out of place at a GOP Primary debate--and it didn't look like he was prepared or even cared. Maybe that's his style, but his long winded question about health care, social security, etc. was not asked with the candidates in mind given their time limitations for responses. Maybe it was just me, but it seemed odd.
The Corker debate may have
The Corker debate may have been innocent but it looked bad. People like WATE because of Gene, Lori, and Matt. Was it worth airing the Corker commercials?
Whether or not WATE is bias towards Corker doesn't matter. It appeared that WATE was. Once again the judgment of WATE management is questionable.
Part of the problem is denial. The management of WATE doesn't understand how the station looks through the eyes and ears of the viewer. Having watched WATE for many years I perceive this to be a low point for the integrity of the station. I know good people work there. But your news broadcast is sending a mixed message.
If you live by Nielsen ratings and care only about ratings you are making a mistake. There is a subliminal desperation in your broadcasts. The teasing of the story, the enunciation, the delivery, your on air talent is trying to hard. Way to hard. Lose the catch phrase “In a story you first heard on WATE newsâ€.
Relax, and tell us what the news is. All of it. The good and the bad. Stop protecting the powerful people. Get back to basics. The impression the viewer gets is that you do not have the courage or the will to present all the news. You have so many soft news stories during periods when important local news stories are happening.
Another problem is you are making the mistake of believing you are a regional broadcast. In actuality you are regional broadcast but your base is Knox County and Knoxville. When you give a pass on a story in Knoxville or do a 30 second piece on what should be a 4 minute report you shortchange the viewers and your own station. This is a classic broadcasting copout. When you buy into the regional broadcast model it gives cover and helps rationalize that local stories cannot be aired because there is not enough time. Have to cover news in the region first. Cut the fluff and just air the news. All of it.
The most difficult part is advertising and its relation to the news. If you cannot air a story because you are afraid you will lose an advertising customer then you have lost the battle and are no longer a news program.
Sometimes common sense
Sometimes common sense should apply! Why should any of the campaigns have been offered the opportunity to buy ads for this particular televised event? It should have been a given that any takers of this offer would have or at the very least could have been seen as a biased position on the part of WATE. Even if that were the case, and I am certainly not saying that it is, it just seems to have been a poor decision on someone's part.
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